If Sharks players admit they were ‘‘doped and duped’’ during the supplements program in place at Cronulla during the 2011 season they will receive a three-week playing ban following a deal offered by ASADA on Wednesday.

The 17 past and present players, all of whom have been offered the same deal, will receive a 12-month sanction for doping, but will have their sentences back-dated to November 2013. They have until Friday to accept the deal, effectively a three-week ban, or it will be off the table and they could face the mandatory two-year punishment for use of prohibited substances.

Anthony Tupou and John Morris at their ASADA meetings. Photo: Jessica Hromas

Fairfax Media revealed on Monday some players would only face a month on the sideline if they admitted their guilt, with young three-quarter Matthew Wright, now with the Cowboys, likely to serve more than three games if his club reaches the finals.

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ASADA lawyers offered the deal to players and their legal representatives at a series of meetings in Sydney. ASADA has applied the ‘‘no significant fault’’ concession to the players believing they were unwitting victims of an ad-hoc, experimental doping program. The ASADA Act also allows for back-dating of bans provided two conditions are met:

the players admit taking performance-enhancing substances, and

administrative delays prevented the case to coming to a swift resolution.

Because ASADA was forced to transfer most of its resources to a federal government initiated joint AFL/ASADA investigation into Essendon, the anti-doping body concedes the Cronulla investigation was placed on hold. It also admits changes to its legislation were held up in Parliament.

The Cronulla players were not offered the 75 per cent discount for providing information that would lead to a doping infraction being levelled against another person. ASADA boss Ben McDevitt reasoned that rugby league players, given the code’s anti-dobbing culture, it would be not be practical to pursue that route.

McDevitt has put the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel on notice to meet on Friday and if the players admit the use of prohibited substances infraction notices can be immediately issued, and NRL chief Dave Smith will proceed with the agreed ban.

The ADRVP merely requires evidence that a doping infraction took place for it to issue a notice. An admission by a player would satisfy that requirement. It is expected Smith will move against the architect of the Cronulla supplements program, sports scientist Stephen Dank, on Thursday.

The co-operation of WADA is still necessary for all discounted punishments. At Wednesday’s meetings players asked for a guarantee WADA would not appeal and the ASADA representatives said this could not be given. However Fairfax Media understands McDevitt agreed to produce a letter to Smith expressing all endeavours would be made to convince WADA of the need to bring the protracted dispute to a swift conclusion. The ban would be shown as 12 months on WADA’s register.

The ban would affect five players at Cronulla — Paul Gallen, Nathan Gardner, Anthony Tupou, Wade Graham and John Morris, who recently retired. Other current NRL players who would be unable to play for a month include Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden (Newcastle), and Albert Kelly and Luke Douglas (Titans). If the players accepted the ban they would immediately be unable to play or train with their clubs for the remainder of the season. However they would be back in November when most clubs resume training.

ASADA released a statement to say the notices related ‘‘to the use of prohibited substances, CJC-1295 and GHRP-6, during 2011’’. ‘‘The decision to issue ‘show cause’ notices by ASADA CEO, Ben McDevitt is based on evidence collected during the 16 month investigation. Prior to issuing the ‘show cause’ notices the evidence was reviewed by former Federal Court Judge the Hon. Garry Downes and ASADA senior legal counsel. Based on his assessment of the evidence, the ASADA CEO has reached the conclusion that the players have a case to answer under the World Anti-Doping Code.’’

It is unclear how many, if any, players would accept the deal. Gallen is adamant he hadn’t taken a banned substance. ‘‘I’m 100 per cent positive I’ve never taken anything that’s been on any banned list,’’ he told radio 2KY.

22 comments so far

Blackest day in sport? I'd hate to see what a blacker day in sport looks like if the end result is a 3 week ban. Another Labor fail or a distraction away from their incompetence at the time? You decide.

Commenter

Piped Piper

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 6:59AM

Yes, a three week ban. Slap them over the wrist with a feather. Meanwhile an AFL player inadvertently consumes an energy drink on game day and is banned for 18 months. What the?

Commenter

Paul

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 3:05PM

Such weak bans would make an absolute mockery of anti-doping rules and this entire investigation.

Commenter

Adam

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 7:52AM

What a laugh, how do you back date a sentence for players that were still playing during that time - how is that punishment? Shouldn't the 12 months commence once they are found guilty? So in fact they didn't get 12 months, they actually get 3 weeks.

Commenter

Confused

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:14AM

ASADA has applied the ‘‘no significant fault’’ concession to the players believing they were unwitting victims of an ad-hoc, experimental doping program.

Surely then, there must be some sanction against the team itself?

Commenter

Lee

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:18AM

How to look tough on cheating - NOT!

Commenter

NZBen

Location

Nth Epping

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:23AM

Don't even wait for the thinking music. Just take the deal and run.

Commenter

Luke

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:53AM

The problem now for the players is that they have spent so long protesting their innocence that any admission now will just brand them liars.

Commenter

RTP

Location

Sawtell

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 8:54AM

It is unlikely we'll ever know the truth about whether the players knew they were taking something illegal or even suspected that they were. That is unless they cop the ban and later "tell all".

If the players genuinely didn't even suspect they were being given illegal substances, then they are between a rock and a hard place. If they "admit" to get a few weeks ban, they are forever tarnished as drug cheats. If they don't take the offer, they face the prospect of a 2 year ban where they are guilty until proven innocent: for those nearing retirement, that's effectively the end of their careers.

If it's only really 3 weeks, I'd say, take the ban and be done with it. As a life long Sharks supporter, I just want it over so we can get on with the game.

Commenter

yabba

Location

sutho

Date and time

August 21, 2014, 9:03AM

For God's sake - tuck your shirt in, have a shave and pull ya tracksuit pants up! This is an important meeting.